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Not really Posted by AdamB [Email] (#3) [Profile/Gallery] (more from AdamB) on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:45:42 In Reply to: 100% false, TML [Profile/Gallery] , Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:30:45 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I hadn't thought it through, but it's not as simple as that. You can safely get a 10,000kV shock with various gadgets. Here it's the very low current limit that reduces the danger. But yes, on 110-240V mains the voltage is the limiting factor because both have current limits far above what's dangerous. However with 120V you're more likely to have your hand grab on to the live line because of the local muscle spasm whereas 230V will cause a more general muscle spasm that will tend to jerk your whole arm and thus take it away from the line.
Furthermore, *all* 220-240V (~230V in the EU) installations in most developed countries have mandatory ground fault interrupters, making a modern 230V systems allround safer. I have to admit that I can't understand why any developed country wouldn't have strict rules on having such an essential safety system. I would dare bet that the casualties of electrocution is by far outnumbered by the ones from fires caused by a short in the electrical system. Something a GFI would be able to stop.
The reason why the States didn't change to 220-240V in the 50's, like most of the world, was cost both industrially and commercially. Household appliances, which were mostly unknown in Europe at the time, were already abundant in the US so people didn't want to have to either replace them all or use transformers. So it was elected to stay with 110V which meant considerably higher loss through power lines and unstable supply when you get a away from the transformer station. The "safety" argument was probably introduced to make people feel better about having an inferior electrical system. ;)
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